By Patrick Donges
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-979576.mp3
Pittsfield, MA – After a bankruptcy filing in February that resulted in the closure of 200 stores and the dismissal of about 6,000 employees, Borders Group Inc., the Michigan-based parent company of Borders bookstores announced earlier this month they would seek to sell their remaining 399 stores for liquidation, effectively putting their almost 11,000 remaining employees out of work.
The liquidation announcement, and the rising prevalence of e-readers and other technology, has signaled to some that the nation is undergoing a decline in what a recent Boston Globe article described as "book culture."
In April, at the same time as the first round of Borders closures concluded, including the closure of their former Saratoga Springs location, the Association of American Publishers released February sales figures indicating that e-books had outsold paper books in all "trade title" categories, which include adult and children's hardcover and paperback editions.
New technology and the floundering economy contributed to the recent reorganization of two bookstores in the Berkshires.
North Adams' Papryi Books closed its retail storefront June 30, switching to an internet only operation, and Chapters Bookstore, Pittsfield's only local downtown bookseller, closed their doors July 21. Tracy Sheerin is Chapters' CFO.
"As an independent store, we didn't have the backing that a Borders or Barnes and Noble had. With the economy the way that it was, books (are) considered one of those luxury items. It's not a necessity; coupled with today's technology and the Nook and all the e-readers. "
While those were contributing factors, Sheerin said construction on Pittsfield's North Street that limited parking and foot traffic was the "straw that broke the camel's back."
Like Papryi, Chapters will convert to selling online only; a switch Sheerin said was spurred by community support for the benefits of a local bookstore versus larger chains.
"We do serve some local organizations that work with children that we were able to offer s discount to because we didn't have to have it approved, like the big box stores have to get it approved through corporate. We're going to continue to help serve them so that they can continue to get the products for the children."
While Sheerin said she believes there are still many people who would rather read a paper copy than a screen, and Chapters may reconsider their physical storefront if business picks up, Chris Morrow, owner of Northshire Bookstore in Manchester, VT, said the end of Borders is a cause for concern.
"As the landscape of bricks and mortar bookstores declines, whether they're chains or independents, we are seeing a shift in peoples' ability to access physical books in an environment that promotes discovery and curiosity."
"Many if not most of the books that are bought online, whether in print form or in e-book form, are often discovered in bookstores."
Scott Meyer, president of Merritt Bookstore in Millbrook, NY, agreed that bookstores are where most books are discovered, describing the liquidation of Borders is just another indicator of how independent booksellers must adapt to the changing economy.
"Borders closing is very scary. You immediately look at your business and say, 'what's going to happen?' and the publishers look at you and they reduce your credit and they make sure you pay on time and then they're struggling to get the few dollars that we give them that Borders no longer will be giving them. So it's affecting everybody, it's affecting the publishers, it's affecting the landlords, it's affecting the taxes of the community."
"We also need to then look at a different business model for the independent bookstore; whether it's more of a consignment or a pay-as-you-go, or something. Something needs to be done."
Meyer said while he did not think independent booksellers would be able to takeover the spaces being vacated by Borders, simply because they would be too big, he did see the liquidation as a possible opportunity for independent stores to raise awareness of their benefits; economic development, community dialogue, and what he called "bibliotherapy."
"This one woman came in and she said, 'No, I just came in to feel better.'"
"I think some of the independents will maybe not takeover, but we'll embrace the customers from those stores that need a real bookstore. We will do whatever we can to help them so that they're customers can be there. We may hire some of the staff come from those stores who want to stay in the bookselling business."